Possible motive being investigated in Lennox murder-suicide

The Lennox community gathered Saturday to help three children who lost both of their parents and a sibling to a tragic murder-suicide in September.
Danielle Ferguson/Argus Leader

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A bake sale was part of a fundraiser for three Lennox kids who lost their parents and a sibling to a murder-suicide in September. The fundraiser was held Saturday, Nov. 18, at the Lennox high school.(Photo: Danielle Ferguson/Argus Leader)Buy Photo

Authorities investigating what may have led up to a murder-suicide that killed three in southeastern South Dakota last year are waiting on a months-long workplace audit to be completed before releasing more information.

Law enforcement initially said there was a motive to the September 2017 shooting in Lennox, but were hesitant to share what that may be. Stephanie Hoover, 35, is thought to have shot her husband, 38-year-old Rob Hoover, and an 8-year-old child before turning the handgun on herself in her home, police said in September.

The shooting is still being investigated, and part of that involves an audit from Stephanie Hoover's employer, said Lincoln County Sheriff Dennis Johnson and Lincoln County State's Attorney Tom Wollman.

The results of the audit should be completed by the end of this month or early next month and may shed light on what led up to the shooting. Authorities have said they plan to release more information once they have time to sift through the audit.

The shooting occurred the morning of Sept. 26, 2017, at a home on South Main Street in Lennox. A relative discovered the bodies. A handgun was found at the scene and at least six shots were fired. Lennox schools were on soft lockdown for about 10 minutes following the shooting.

Lennox Police Chief Orville Jorgensen was the first member of law enforcement to arrive at the scene.

"I've been doing this (police work) for over 31 years and that was a very, very difficult crime scene," he said in September.

Police have not officially said the boy was the Hoovers' son, but the Argus Leader has confirmed it with friends and been in contact with family.

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Police tape surrounds the house that was the scene of a shooting in Lennox on Tuesday, Sept. 26, 2017. The shooting, which left three dead including an eight-year-old boy, is being investigated as a murder-suicide according to the Lincoln County Sheriff's office.
Sam Caravana / Argus Leader

Law enforcement personnel work at the scene of a shooting in Lennox on Tuesday, Sept. 26, 2017. The shooting, which left three dead including an eight-year-old boy, is being investigated as a murder-suicide according to the Lincoln County Sheriff's office.
Sam Caravana / Argus Leader

Police tape surrounds the house that was the scene of a shooting in Lennox on Tuesday, Sept. 26, 2017. The shooting, which left three dead including an eight-year-old boy, is being investigated as a murder-suicide according to the Lincoln County Sheriff's office.
Sam Caravana / Argus Leader

Law enforcement personnel work at the scene of a shooting in Lennox on Tuesday, Sept. 26, 2017. The shooting, which left three dead including an eight-year-old boy, is being investigated as a murder-suicide according to the Lincoln County Sheriff's office.
Sam Caravana / Argus Leader

Law enforcement personnel work the scene of a shooting in Lennox on Tuesday, Sept. 26, 2017. The shooting, which left three dead including an eight-year-old boy, is being investigated as a murder-suicide according to the Lincoln County Sheriff's office.
Sam Caravana / Argus Leader

Lincoln County Sheriff Dennis Johnson addresses the media at the scene of a shooting in Lennox on Tuesday, Sept. 26, 2017. The shooting, which left three dead including an eight-year-old boy, is being investigated as a murder-suicide according to the Lincoln County Sheriff's office.
Sam Caravana / Argus Leader

Law enforcement personnel work at the scene of a shooting in Lennox on Tuesday, Sept. 26, 2017. The shooting, which left three dead including an eight-year-old boy, is being investigated as a murder-suicide according to the Lincoln County Sheriff's office.
Sam Caravana / Argus Leader

Law enforcement personnel work at the scene of a shooting in Lennox on Tuesday, Sept. 26, 2017. The shooting, which left three dead including an eight-year-old boy, is being investigated as a murder-suicide according to the Lincoln County Sheriff's office.
Sam Caravana / Argus Leader

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The Lennox community has since stepped up to help the affected family. Family friends and relatives hosted a chili feed, poker run and silent auction in October. The community rallied together and held a fundraiser in the Lennox High School in November. Wristbands that said "Hoover strong" were sold at both events.